Michael, a former Police Officer, graduated in law at Manchester University in 1995 and qualified as a Solicitor in 1998, becoming a partner in a city centre commercial practice in 2008.

Michael was called to the Bar in July 2010 and after a successful Pupillage became a Tenant with Linenhall Chambers in January 2011.

Being a former solicitor, Michael is very aware of the pressures upon both Solicitors and clients alike. In addition to his court work, Michael has a busy paper practice including the preparation of statements of case and applications and advices, his aim being to return paperwork as soon as possible.

Michael became an Accredited Mediator in 2002. He is a panel member of ADR Group and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

He is qualified to undertake Direct Access work.

Michael’s practice covers the following areas:

Commercial / Chancery

  • Breach of contract / warranty claims, TOLATA / Trust of land disputes and proprietary estoppel, Trust / Contentious probate actions, Inheritance Act claims
  • Shareholder / directorship disputes
  • Partnership law
  • Injunctions
  • Construction (including adjudications and arbitrations)
  • Insolvency / commercial debt recovery proceedings
  • Professional negligence
  • Asset Finance / consumer credit
  • Court of protection proceedings / mental health
  • Appeals

Property

  • Landlord & Tenant (commercial & private / residential)
  • Property Chamber and Land Tribunal proceedings
  • Dilapidations / Service Charge disputes
  • Breach of covenant claims
  • Boundary / right of way / easement disputes
  • Forfeiture proceedings
  • Business tenancy proceedings, including lease renewals, rent reviews
  • Adverse possession / Trespass and nuisance
  • Mortgage repossession actions (for both lenders & borrowers)
  • Leasehold Valuation Tribunal proceedings

Employment

  • Unfair / Constructive dismissal
  • Discrimination
  • Wrongful dismissal / breach of contract actions
  • PIDA proceedings
  • Injunctions for passing off / breach of restrictive covenants / confidential information / springboard injunctions
  • Wages and equal pay claims
  • Drafting contacts of employment
  • Preparation of Service Agreements
  • TUPE
  • Redundancy / structural re-organisations

Housing

  • Social Housing (for Landlords & Tenants)
  • Injunctions
  • Repossession proceedings
  • Human Rights / Equality Act issues
  • Disrepair

Personal Injury

  • Road Traffic
  • Slipping & Tripping
  • Employers’ liability
  • Occupiers’ liability

Direct Access

Michael also takes instructions from clients on a direct access basis.

Mediations

Michael became an Accredited Mediator in 2002. He is a panel member of ADR Group and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. More information can be found on our Mediation Link.

I received a first class service from Michael Barrow, and would highly recommend him. He thoroughly read and understood the case file and provided great support and advice to me throughout the proceedings. With his expertise and clear knowledge of the case, he was able to resolve the matter before it got to court. This saved me alot of stress and of course saved me in legal fees. Mr Barrow’s was always very friendly and polite in all his dealings with me and responded to me swiftly. I cannot recommend him enough. Its nice to meet a barrister that wants what is best for his clients.

Joe C July 2023

B v WTC – Employment Tribunal proceedings. Michael recently acted for the Respondent in a claim against it by a former senior employee who claimed unfair dismissal following an alleged protected disclosure (whistle blowing) made by him to the employer (Respondent). After a seven-day protracted trial with numerous witnesses giving evidence, the former employee’s claim for unfair dismissal was dismissed. The case was significant due to the complex factual and legal issues involved and because of the sum claimed by the employee. The case had much local media attention.

L v E – Michael recently obtained a without notice freezing injunction against the Defendant in the High Court on the basis that the court was satisfied on the evidence that there was a real risk of dissipation of the Defendant’ assets if not immediately frozen.

B v Y – A successful application by the Claimant, for whom Michael acted, for damages against the Defendants following their repudiatory breach of a Tomlin Order entered into between the parties some time ago. The sum recovered by way of damages was in excess of £400,000, together with additional costs. The application had been foreshadowed by previous court proceedings between the same parties.

HSBC Bank PLC V Brown (2015) EWHC 359 (Ch) – Michael successfully defeated Bank’s claim for repossession of land based upon its Charge.

Y v B – Michael successfully defended commercial property contested lease renewal proceedings on behalf of the landlord due to the tenant’s lack of repair and maintenance and following on from years of protracted litigation between the parties in separate proceedings relating to disrepair.

H v B – Michael, after a five day trial, successfully defended two former senior employees and directors of their former employer who alleged breach of restrictive covenants, breach of confidential information, passing off and conspiracy to injure the financial interests of the company.

D v S – Proceedings in the High Court, Chancery Division, Michael acted successfully for a testator’s daughters and beneficiaries in seeking to set aside a subsequent Will on the basis of lack of capacity and the undue influence exerted upon the testator by another member of the deceased’s family.

S v A – In employment proceedings, Michael negotiated, at trial, a very beneficial settlement for the injury to feelings sustained by his client as a result of the sex discrimination she suffered over a protracted period of time in the workplace.

LLB (Hons)

LLM

MCIArb

Member of the Chancery Bar Association

Member of the Northern Circuit Commercial Bar Association

Member of the ADR Group (Panel Member)

Member of the Association of Contentious Trusts & Probate Specialists

Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Member of Lincoln’s Inn